Berea Flags at Emanuel AME,

Love wins!!

1

Birthdays, Anniversaries 2

Faith Community Response 3

Feeding Body & Spirit 4

Summer Musical Notes, Church

Family Camping

5

Ways to Give, Bazaar, Did You

Know?

6

Family photos 7

Regular Events, Staff, Mission

Statement, Bible Reading

8

Inside this issue:

LOVE WINS!

The Supreme Court has ruled that the law may show

no partiality in matters of couples seeking to wed. Union

Church joyfully offers our faith community and our

servant leaders to ALL couples who seek a blessing

community as they solemnize their vows. We celebrate

this historic decision as an affirmation that "God has made

of one blood all people's of the earth." Acts 17:26.

See page 3 of this newsletter OR follow the link to read

a Faith Community response to this ruling, signed by Rev.

Kent, Rev. Rachel and other faith leaders in Kentucky.

http://www.kentucky.com/2015/06/27/3920292_faith-

community-response-to-marriage.html?rh=1

Visit Our Website for MORE News & Video Webcasts: www.union-church.org

We'd also love to connect with you on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/unionchurchberea)

and Twitter (@UnionChurchKY)

The Union Church

Newsletter

July 2015

Sunday Worship 10:30

Mailing address CPO 2105; Berea, KY; 40404 Physical address 200 Prospect St.; Berea, KY; 40403 Phone 859-986-3725

Office office@union-church.org Rev. Kent kgilbert@union-church.org Rev. Rachel rsmallstokes@union-church.org

CONSIDER . . .

Berea Flags fly at Emanuel AME in Charleston

Prayer Flags from the Berea Vigil were hand carried to Emanuel AME in Charleston and hang there this Sunday to

welcome worshipers. About 200 people gathered on the Union Church front lawn to express our prayers and grief at

the terrorist murders at the church known as Mother Emanuel, the founding African Methodist Episcopal congregation.

Cards and a letter sent on behalf of all those who gathered here were gratefully

received by the presiding elder of the church who had just finished the funeral of

Pastor Pinckney. Church members lovingly hung the flags outside of the church

where they bear witness not to death, but to resilience and strength. For every

card and for every flag they send their thanks in this difficult time. Thanks to the

Rev. Steve Rhodes for being our emissary in South Carolina. See and read more

by following this link:

http://union-church.org/berea-prayer-flags-fly-at-emanuel-ame/

July Birthdays & Anniversaries

News of the Family

Birthdays!

1 Joyce Henderson

1 Rusti Mullins

2 Delores Carpenter

3 Susie Ritchie

4 Colleen Ambrose

4 Phyllis Hughes

5 Sune Frederiksen

5 Carol Gilliam

8 Joseph Mecham

8 Kelly Mehler

9 David Bellnier

10 Deborah Martin

12 Rich Royalty

14 Dottie Blackburn

14 Lois Morgan

14 Myrna Davis

19 Dana Rousey

19 Ben Shaffer

20 Mallory Lakes

20 Cavan Kobersmith

21 Tennant Kirk

22 Emma White

25 Ian Hayden

29 Barbara Frederiksen

30 Anne Panciera

31 Sharona Nelson

Anniversaries

9 Joe & Jessica Spencer

17 Rhonda Edwards &

Lauri McVicker

24 Kelly Richards &

Shayne Confer

27 John & Ramona Culp

If we don’t know your

birthday or anniversary, we

want to! Or if we’ve made a

mistake please call or email

the office.

We continue to hold the family

and friends of Jean Ritchie

Pickow, Jim Orwig, and

Michelle Tooley in our prayers.

Services for each of them were held

at Union Church on June 7, June 11,

and June 16 respectively. We

treasure their memories deeply.

Their families and friends have all

expressed their deep appreciation

for the care and beauty shown to

them in loving details provided for

their respective memorial services.

June 24-June 30, Rev. Kent and

Rev. Rachel attended the biennial

General Synod of the United Church

of Christ held this year in Cleveland,

OH. This is the 395th year since the

founding of the denomination in this

country at Plymouth Rock in 1620,

and the 58th since it adopted the

name and current structure.

Congratulations to the couples

in our church whose marriages are

now fully legal and recognized under

the law of the commonwealth! We

bless you and celebrate with you!

You can join this movement!

New members are received the

second Sunday of every month, and

you are very welcome here! Come,

be part of this family working for

Christ’s justice and joy! These folks

joined on June 14!

Consider...page 2

Youth Group departs for

Passport Camp June 28!

Linda Ross

405 Prospect St., Berea

lindaross405@hotmail.com

Barbara Walters

114 Orchard St., Berea

dr-barb@hotmail.com

On June 3 Rev. Kent & Rev.

Rachel participated Celebration of

the beatification of Oscar Romero

with our brothers and sisters at St.

Clare Church. Union & St. Clare have

a long history - more than 25 years -

of relationship with the people of El

Salvador, through numerous visits and

delegations to that country.

Joyce Henderson

was made an

Honorary Lifetime

Deacon at the

Worship Service on

June 28 and her

90th birthday (July

1) was celebrated,

with flowers given in her honor.

Joyce has coordinated Union

Church’s Bloodmobile efforts for

many years. This is a valuable

ministry of Union Church, and we

are so very grateful to Joyce for her

efforts!

It seems everywhere we look,

our society is mired in division and it

is easy to become disheartened by

these divisions. As faith and spiritual

leaders we believe God's call is for

continued reconciliation and justice

for all people. It is our desire to lead

communities, and provide spiritual

guidance, about issues supporting

efforts to bring about God's vision of

peace and goodwill for all.

In this vein we take a public stance

in support of marriage equality and

celebrate the recent Supreme Court

decision legalizing monogamous,

committed, loving relationships

between two adults regardless of

sexual orientation.

As spiritual leaders we may hold

different scriptures sacred, however,

we are united in our belief that God

celebrates with us and accepts loving

relationships. An underlying theme

uniting religious and spiritual

traditions is radical hospitality and

justice for all beings.

It is encouraging, then, that we

have a courageous and justice-

minded Supreme Court willing to do

t h e

right

thing from a legal perspective. This

decision in no way demands

churches or other faith communities

who disagree with same-sex marriage

be required to perform them.

It does, however, offer those of us

who are given both civil and religious

authority and who affirm these loving

marriages the ability to celebrate and

embrace relationships of those

particular couples in our respective

communities.

Likewise, we also celebrate the

diversity of clergy leadership and faith

communities who welcome, include

and affirm same-sex couples and their

families into full participation.

We look forward to a day when

we truly have a world that works for

everyone, where harmony and

acceptance triumph over adversity

and disharmony. We believe this

decision brings us a step closer to

that world.

This letter was published on June

27, 2015, in the Lexington Herald-

Leaders, and is signed by Robert

Auchter, president UUFMC; the Rev.

Laurie Brock, rector St. Michael's

Episcopal Church; the Rev. Soni Cantrell,

Ahava Center for Spiritual Living; Rev.

Keila Carpenter Thomas, Saint Alban's

Episcopal Church; the Rev. Mark T.

Davis, teaching elder, First Presbyterian

Church of Lexington; the Rev. Carol

Devine; the Rt. Rev. Douglass Hahn,

bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of

Lexington; the Rev. Esther Hurlburt,

community minister , Unitarian

Universalist; the Rev. Kent H. Gilbert

and the Rev. Rachel Small Stokes, Union

Church (Berea); the Rev. Mark D.

Johnson; the Rev. Pete Jones; the Rev.

Nancy J. Kemper; Marianne McAdams,

service leader, Unitarian Universalist; the

Rev. Marsha J. Moors — Charles,

Bluegrass United Church of Christ; the

Rev. Steven T. Pace; the Rev. Chuck

Queen; Fr. Johnnie Ross, St. Raphael's

Episcopal Church; the Rev. Carol

Ruthven, the Episcopal Diocese of

Lexington; the Rev. David Shirey, Central

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ);

the Rev. Dalene Vasbinder, Woodland

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ);

Bishop Paul (Kenneth) Waibel,

Orthodox-Catholic Church of America;

Rabbi David Wirtschafter, Temple Adath

Israel; the Rev. Gretchen L. Woods,

interim minister, Unitarian Universalist

Church of Lexington

A Faith Community response to

Marriage Equality Ruling

We look forward to a

day when we truly

have a world that

works for everyone.

Consider...page 3

July 16, 5:00—7:00

pm, Community Room

Bring photos of your

raised beds. Join us to

share your experiences and

bring your questions about

urban gardening.

John Stanley and

Heather Lundy will be

the guest presenters for a

gathering to discuss planting

fall crops and Richard and

Cheyenne Olson will be

there to share their

experiences with raised

garden beds on the Berea

Urban Farm, planted in

May.

Please bring a dish to

share if you want to. (We

will provide some snacks

from the garden.)

Call 859-985-1689 for

more information or go to

our Facebook page: Victory

Gardeners 2015.

Consider...page 4

Calling all Urban Gardeners and Victory Garden Blitzers!

Let’s Celebrate, July 16, 5-7 pm!

Garden Bed at the Housing Authority homes on Glades Rd.

Berea Food Bank

Don’t forget the Food Bank during

the summer months! Food can be

brought to 103 Parkway Dr.

Free Lunch at the Public

Library!

Monday –Saturday 18 & under

Sunday 1-2 Snacks for all ages!

No need to sign up—just show

up and eat a healthy lunch!

Rain Garden Tour July 11

Meet at Union Church, 1:00 pm

in the Office Level Classroom.

Tour beautiful, established rain

gardens and learn how to start your

own! Participants may be eligible for

a $250 grant. Visit

http://www.bggreensource.org/

Achieving and Building Life Equally

Are you interested in joining together to create a

Berea support group for those of us who self-identify as

differently or uniquely able, or identify as disabled? This

includes anyone who may be coping with a chronic or

long-term illness, or dealing with an injury or illness that

impacts daily life. If interested, let’s meet on July 15 at

6:00pm in the Community Room at Union Church.

This could become a regular get together, an

opportunity for friendship and sharing in a confidential

setting.

Tentative group name: “ABLE” (Achieving and

Building Life Equally).

We, in ABLE, work hard to be strong and fearless.

We succeed in life with creativity. We are not ‘less

than;’ we are equal in the world.

Understanding & Responding to

Dementia-Related Behavior

Behavior is a powerful form of communication and is

one of the primary ways for people with dementia to

communicate their needs and feelings as the ability to use

language is lost. However, some behaviors can present

real challenges for caregivers to manage.

Join us to learn how to decode behavioral messages,

identify common behavior triggers, and learn strategies to

help intervene with some of the most common

behavioral challenges of Alzheimer’s disease.

The program will take place on Wednesday, July 15th

from 1:00pm-3:00pm at the Madison County Public

Library located at 507 West Main Street, Richmond.

Registration is required; please call 1-800-272-3900.

Feeding the Body & Feeding the Spirit!

Summer Choir - No Robes

~ No Stairs ~

No Commitment!

Sundays: July 5, 12, and, 26

9:15 am ~ Sanctuary

Adults and youth are welcome to

participate in Summer Choir

for any or all of the Sundays we

sing. No commitment is expected.

Just show up for rehearsal at

9:15 on the days you wish to

participate.

We will rehearse a new anthem

each of these six Sundays which

will then be shared at the 10:30 am

worship service that morning.

We will rehearse and offer our

anthems from the sanctuary floor

so that this opportunity may be

accessible to all.

Handbells for Children

Saturday, July 18, 1 pm-4 pm and

Sunday, July 19, 9:30 am

Choir Room, 3rd Floor

(for children rising to 3rd- 6th gr.)

Finally, an opportunity for the

children to get their hands on bells!

The children will learn how to ring

and dampen a handbell, and

explore the many techniques. We

will learn to play music using “Ring

& Sing” charts as well as by reading

from a color-coded handbell score.

The afternoon will also include

several music and coordination

games, and a healthy snack.

The children will present their

handbell music as part of the

10:30am worship service on Sunday,

July 19.

Space is limited to 9 ringers. There

is a materials fee of $10,

direct questions to Pearl at

bellteacherpem@yahoo.com or

(859) 408-5508.

Hymn Sings

Sundays - July 26, Aug. 23

7:00 pm-8:30 pm ~ Cowan Chapel

(All Ages Welcome!)

Once a month, we will gather for

a “traditional” hymn-sing led by

the Union Church music staff.

Please turn in a list of your five

favorite hymns from the Black or

Red Hymnbook one week before

each Hymn Singing (deadlines:

July 19, August 16).

You will have an opportunity to

briefly share the reason a

particular hymn is significant to

you.

It is not necessary to submit a sign

-up form in order to participate,

however it will increase the

chances that your favorites will

make the list of hymns to be sung.

Summer Musical Notes, Camping Trip sign-up

Consider...page 5

It’s time to mark the dates for

Union Church Camping trip Friday

July 31-Sunday August 2nd. This

is an all ages camp out for you or

you and your family. Join us, won’t

you?

We will be camping at Craigs

Creek Group Campground Area at

Laurel Lake—so it isn’t even a long

drive!

We plan to kick off Friday night

with a group cook out. The

evenings will be filled with s’mores,

singing, maybe a few spooky stories,

and much laughter guaranteed.

Daytime will be filled with relaxing,

activities, and getting to know each

other.

Lots of time to find a friend or

two and find some outdoor fun. We

will even have a Sunday outdoor

service. Cost is $20 per person or

$50 per family. Mark your calendar

now! Register here:

http : / /un ion-church .org/wp-

content/uploads/2015/06/FD-Camp-

Registration.pdf

Union Church All Ages Camping Trip!

Union Church Bazaar August 29!

Union Church’s Bazaar proceeds help fund

Mission & Service projects locally, nationally and

internationally. Thanks for your support and help!!

This year the bazaar will be Saturday August 29,

from 10 am to 2 pm. It’s not too early to start

thinking about bringing donations to our Bazaar closet

below the front porch of the church.

The door is not locked and the closet is located to

the right of the stage in the Community Room; light

switch is just around the corner. Please price items

clearly.

Remember: no clothing, and NO OLD TVs please.

All sales benefit mission work of the church. Happy

Debulking Day at your house! Questions? Contact

John Payne johnvpayne@yahoo.com or 986-8100.

We will be asking for volunteers to help with this

Mighty Event soon.

—John Payne for the Mission and Service Board.

Consider...page 6

EasyTithe Android App

Now Available!

EasyTithe is the easy way to

make either one-time gifts or

recurring donations to Union

Church. You can now download the

native easyTithe Android app from

the Google Play Store to take the

same great easyTithe features you

know and love to your members

with Android devices. As a native

app, all of the features are in the app

itself!

Here are the robust features in

the new app:

Login or create an account

View Payment Methods on file

(currently SMS and APP

consolidated together)

Add Payment Method

View Giving History

View User Profile

Make a one-time gift

Logout

Of course you can still donate by

Text message or by going to the

church website. You can learn all

a b o u t u s i n g E a s yT i t h e a t

http://union-church.org/donate/. Try

it! You might like it!

Kroger Rewards and

A m a z o n

Smile—two

easy ways

to give.

Kroger has been

committed to

supporting the communities it serves

by assist ing local charitable

organizations through its Rewards

Program. Union Church will earn

rewards on all eligible purchases you

make using your Kroger Plus Card.

The Kroger rewards will accumulate

and be donated quarterly to Union

Church. This is an easy way for all

to fund-raise for Union Church.

Visit kroger.com/communityrewards

Amazon Smile will donate .5% of

eligible sales to Union Church if you

r e g i s t e r a t

https://smile.amazon.com/ch/61-

0444677. This is a great way to

support Union Church.

Ways to Give

Did you know . . . ?

The new pew cushions are in! Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible.

The Properties Board is looking for a few volunteers to help with insulating and sealing two areas in

mechanical rooms. If you would like to know ask Dave Kobersmith.

Children’s Church is planning on using Godly Play curriculum. If you would like to learn more about this interactive

method of teaching our young folks about God contact Rev. Rachel or Kim Kobersmith.

Union Church Family Life in Photos

Consider...page 7

Jim Orwig Memorial John Stanley preached on June 28, Jack Marshall was Worship Leader

A GIANT THANK YOU to all who

volunteered to make Vacation Bible

School a smashing (and rebuilding)

success!

WE, THE PEOPLE OF UNION

CHURCH, SEEK TO LIVE OUT OUR

DISCIPLESHIP TO GOD AS A COMMUNITY

INSPIRED BY JESUS’ TRANSFORMING LOVE.

AS A GATHERING OF THOSE SEEKING TO

BOLDLY AND CREATIVELY EMBODY CHRIST’S

LIFE AND MINISTRY, WE COMMIT OURSELVES TO

WORK AND FELLOWSHIP THAT MAKES THE

RADICAL AND INCLUSIVE LOVE OF GOD, THE

BELOVED COMMUNITY PROCLAIMED BY JESUS,

AND THE CONTINUING INSPIRATION OF THE

HOLY SPIRIT VISIBLE AND REAL TO ALL.

AS ONE IN BODY WITH CHRIST, WE COMMIT

OURSELVES TO ACTS OF:

UNBOUNDED HOSPITALITY TO BUILD A

BELOVED COMMUNITY OF CHRIST

THOUGHTFUL, INSPIRATIONAL AND

INTENTIONAL FAITH DEVELOPMENT

PASSIONATE WORSHIP

RISK-TAKING MISSION AND SERVICE

EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY AND CARE

IN OUR STEWARDSHIP

Regular Weekly Happenings

Sundays 10:30 am ..... Morning Worship

4:00 pm ..... Overeaters Anonymous, Room 104

Weekdays 8:00 am ...... Zen Meditation, Cowan Chapel

10:00 am ..... Berea Mamas, Rm. 104

1:00 pm .... GED Class, Classroom

Mondays 5:30 pm ..... QiGong, Cowan Chapel

6:00 pm ..... AlAnon meets, Wayside Room

7:00 pm ..... AA, Comm. Room.

Tuesdays 7:30 pm ....... Berea Community Drumming Circle, Cowan

Saturdays 11:00 am ..... ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics), Class.

Other Regular Events 2nd & 4th Mons 9:30 am……….Berea Knitters, Classroom

2nd Tuesdays 10:00 am……….Basket Weaving Group, Comm. Rm

2nd Sundays New Members welcomed at Morning Worship

4th Sundays 11:45 am………Newcomers’

Gatherings

7:00 pm………Hymn Sing in

Cowan Chapel, July &

August, ALL welcome!)

Board Meetings

July 7 7:00 pm ........... Mission Board

July 13 3:00 pm ........... Properties Board

6:00 pm ........... Administration Board

July 14 6:00 pm ........... Faith Development

6:30 pm ........... Finance, Nurture & Care

7:00 pm ........... Community Life & Growth

July 15 5:30 pm ........... Worship Board

July 20 7:00 pm ........... Church Council

About Us...

All who seek & serve the love of God are ministers of Union Church

Gail Wolford, Moderator

Rev. Kent Gilbert, Pastor

Rev. Rachel Small Stokes, Associate Pastor

Dave Kobersmith, Church Administrator

Gabriel Evans, Director of Music Ministries

Pearl Marshall, Handbell Director

Carrie Jadud, Alvera Perman & Leslie Small Stokes,

Jubilee & Joyful Noise Choir Directors

Chris & Grace McKenzie, Youth Directors

Joan English, Office Administrator

Watch the

Sunday service

at union-

church.org/live-

broadcast/

Bible Reading for July

July 5

2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10

Psalm 48

2 Corinthians 12:2-10

Mark 6:-13

July 12

2 Samuel 6:1-5,12b-19

Psalm 24

Ephesians 1:3-14

Mark 6:14-29

July 19

2 Samuel 7:1-14a

Psalm 89:20-37

Ephesians 2:11-22

Mark 6:30-34,53-56

July 26

2 Samuel 11:1-15

Psalm 14

Ephesians 3:14-21

John 6:1-21

Consider...page 8